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November 30, 2021In this issue: Go Big Read for Grad Students, Three Minute Thesis® Finalists, and more.
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Tips for Grads: For the love of reading
It seems to be very common that avid readers lose their once-innate pleasure reading habits when they come to graduate school. I am certainly one of those people, having gone from reading probably a book a week to still being on page 45 of the book I started the day before classes began. Losing the energy for what was once a daily activity and great solace to me was jarring, and it took a lot to build back the habit in the face of all the responsibilities and workload that grad school brings. If you’re someone who wishes you had more time for pleasure reading in graduate school, read on for some ideas on how to incorporate it into your busy schedule!
- Micro breaks: Whether you’re on the bus for only three stops, in the line at the grocery store, or have just two minutes to kill before you’re meeting a friend, micro breaks can be the perfect time to sneak in a few pages of reading. To accomplish this, my favorite app is Libby, which you can access with a free public library card. It’s much more convenient than carrying a book in your bag, and perfect for times when you don’t have your bag on you. My preferred mode on Libby is using eBooks as opposed to audiobooks, so I can get in a few pages when I’m waiting in line surrounded by people. Whichever method you choose, you can “check out” your read for a certain amount of time as you would a library book. It’s a great way to support the library and get to read for free. Long lines used to make me antsy, but now I actually look forward to them!
- Small breaks: Despite the fact that I was just waxing poetic about how much I love reading and wish I had more time for it, I am absolutely guilty of using all of my current free time that I do have on Netflix, or anything equally mind-numbing where I don’t have to exert much effort. I’ve found that the key to combatting this is making sure that whatever book I’m reading is as fun and “mindless” as what I’m watching on Netflix. While I usually love a good political biography or nonfiction, this semester I’ve had better luck in putting down the remote and picking up a book if I know it’s something less cerebral, like a comedian’s memoir or even a re-read of an old favorite.
- Winter break: With this upcoming break between the semesters, now is the perfect time to pick up a book just for fun again! The Office of Professional Development is hosting “Go Big Read for Grads”, where participants can pick up a free copy of the Go Big Read selection of the year (“Transcendent Kingdom” by Yaa Gyasi) from any of the UW Library locations and read the book over the winter break. Then, join us for a discussion on January 21, facilitated by an Information School graduate student and accompanied by pizza and hot chocolate.
GradConnections Weekly is looking for fresh perspectives on the graduate student experience.
If you have advice, counsel, or tips for UW grad students, you’re invited to write a guest column for Tips for Grads.
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DiscoverPD is an innovative tool for UW–Madison graduate students to advance their academic and professional goals. Review the eight facets of professional development, complete a self-assessment, and get a customized report and recommendations.
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Upcoming Professional Development EventsAll event times and deadlines are listed in Central Time.
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As a busy graduate student or postdoc, it can be tempting to delay preparing for a career until after you’ve completed your degree or postdoc. But did you know it can take 6 or more months of active job searching to land a job? This is why it’s important to schedule time in your schedule to lay the foundation for a successful job search starting today. In this webinar, L. Maren Wood, PhD (Founder, Beyond the Professoriate) will help you design a plan for a professional job search for 2022.
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Join fellow graduate students just before the start of the new semester for pizza, hot chocolate, and a discussion of this year's Go Big Read book, Yaa Gyasi's "Transcendent Kingdom". Free copies of the book will be made available to participants. The discussion will be facilitated by an iSchool graduate student. "Transcendent Kingdom" follows the story of Ghanian-American neuroscience Ph.D. candidate Gifty as she grapples with issues of race, religion, family, identity, and faith.
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| Spring Courses to Build Your Expertise and CV in Teaching and Research Mentoring
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Special Events & Symposia
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Nature Hike
Sunday, Dec 5 | 1 - 2:30 pm
UW–Madison Arboretum
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Fall 2021 tuition and fee payment deadlines
Announcing the semifinal winners in the Three Minute Thesis competition…
Three Minute Thesis® is an international competition in which graduate students explain their thesis research to a general audience in three minutes or less. Dozens of graduate students competed in this year’s UW–Madison semifinals, hosted on October 28 and November 3 on campus. See who’s among the semifinal winners.
These participants will go on to compete in the Three Minute Thesis® final competition on Friday, February 18 at the DeLuca Forum in the Discovery Building. The event and reception are free and open to the public. Save the date to come cheer on your friends and colleagues as they compete for cash prizes – and the chance to represent UW–Madison at the regional competition!
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Protect yourself and others from COVID-19
All students, employees, and visitors to campus are required to wear masks when inside campus buildings, unless working alone inside an office or lab with the door closed or while actively eating and drinking. Employees and students who have not shared proof of COVID-19 vaccination with UHS are required to test weekly on campus. University Health Services continues to offer free COVID-19 vaccines to all students and employees. For more information, see the COVID-19 Response FAQs.
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UHS services available remotelyUniversity Health Services is committed to supporting you. Many medical, counseling, and wellness services are available by phone and accessible online. Find out more on the UHS Remote Health and Connection webpage.
Mental Health Resources for Grad StudentsAccording to the 2019 Healthy Minds Survey, 93% of UW–Madison graduate students do not think any less of a peer who seeks mental health care, and 89% of UW–Madison graduate students who used mental health care found it helpful.
- Let’s Talk. Sign up for a free, informal, and confidential consultation about any topic at locations across campus. Common concerns include stress, sadness, relationships, academic performance, financial struggles, and family problems.
- UHS 24-hour Crisis Services. On-call crisis counselors can help address your most pressing concerns, address your safety, and help you connect with follow-up service needs. It’s available every day, including weekends, holidays, and semester breaks. Call the UHS crisis line at 608-265-5600. For situations that are immediately life-threatening, call 911.
- YOU@WISC. This portal has tools and information to help you be well, with modules on stress management, self-care, social support, suicidal thoughts, mindfulness, academic wellness, and more.
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| Graduate Student Support and Assistance
The Dean of Students Office provides resources to students struggling with a variety of issues and can be your go-to spot for assistance as a graduate student. To contact the Graduate and Professional Student Assistance Specialist Elaine Goetz-Berman directly, email egoetz2@wisc.edu.
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Please note: Some graduate students may be ineligible to hold graduate assistantship appointments. Be sure to check with your graduate program coordinator about your eligibility before applying.
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The Out to Innovate™ Career Development Fellowship, formerly known as the Ben Barres Fellowship, is a $2000–$5000 award for professional development of trans, intersex, and non-binary graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Recipients of the fellowship will retain the option of remaining anonymous in public announcements of the award.
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